Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Connecting the homeless

Felipe de la Puente, center, greets Cisco Bergen who helped him get off the streets. Now de la Puente lives at Koinonia Homes of Hope. He spoke during the 210 Connect public forum on homelessness April 13, 2015 at 210.(Photo: Teresa Douglass)

Part of the goal Monday was not only to get the conversation started, but to focus on finding ways to better connect with homeless individuals and build relationships.

"What are the strategies and plans that will create a different approach to homelessness that will have a more effective way of addressing the problem?" Hurley asked.

Among the panel of experts, dozens of community members and homeless individuals also made their voices heard.

Leticia Chavez, 42, said she was grateful to the Bethlehem Center and the Visalia Rescue Mission for their help during the 210 Connect public forum on homelessness April 13, 2015 at 210. She told the standing room only crowd she's next in line for permanent supportive housing through a program at CSET and they applauded her.(Photo: Teresa Douglass)

Felipe de la Puente, 57, said he is no longer homeless thanks to services and resources the Bethlehem Center and Visalia Rescue Mission provided.

After suffering a heart attack and stroke several years ago, de la Puente said, he couldn't sell cars anymore, and ended up living along St. Johns Parkway with around 150 other homeless people.

With the help of the Visalia Rescue Mission, he was able to eat, shower and get in touch with resources to get back on his feet.

He is now living in a transitional home, he told the group.

Moderator Paul Hurley asks Melvin Hunt to talk about what it's like to be homeless in Visalia during 210 Connect's public forum on homelessness April 13, 2015 at 210.(Photo: Teresa Douglass)

Leticia Chavez, a former homeless woman, also thanked the Bethlehem Center and Visalia Rescue Mission for helping her get back on her feet. She asked the panel of representatives for more services for women, however.

"Men have more services than woman," she said.

Chavez, 42, told the audience she was homeless for almost four years but now is next in line for permanent supportive housing through CSET.

"Now that the housing's going to kick in, I feel safe in Visalia," she said.

Panelists were asked to give the audience an overview of what services each agency provides, a brief explanation on how the city is handling homeless issues and how the city can move forward.

One topic of concern narrowed down the ways each organization works together as a whole.

Smith said each agency present Monday was a member of the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance.

Rodriguez said since the Bethlehem Center is such a small unit, it relies heavily on other agencies.

It provides breakfast and lunch, among other services including food boxes, clothing and support to the public.

Rev. Karl Schafer, far right, tells the audience at 210 Connect that 210 is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year in Visalia.(Photo: Teresa Douglass)

Rodriguez said the center added a resource manager who networks with partnering agencies to connect services — one being the Visalia Rescue Mission.

"They are very helpful," Rodriguez said. "More than you would believe. We are able to get some of our clients help on some of the things we don't provide, or never even thought of providing."

Smith said the agencies work well together to eliminate duplication of services and share the best practices.

"It's a federal mandate, in order to get federal funding, that we work together in partnership," she said. "I can attest to the fact that we are collaborating on a monthly, weekly and daily basis."

Another question asked by an audience member painted a bright picture about homelessness in Visalia. The concerned citizen wanted to know how many beds were available at any given time in Visalia.

Berbereia said the Visalia Rescue Mission has around 50 shelter beds open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"There isn't another shelter that I know of," Berbereia said.

In Kings and Tulare counties, more than 700 homeless people were counted in 2014. Visalia had the largest population of homeless at more than 300.

For more information on community health and human services, call 211Tulare County by dialing 211.

How to attend

What: 210 Connect on tourism

When: 7-8:30 p.m. May 11

Where: 210, at 210 W. Center Ave., Visalia

Cost: free

Info: Contact Pete Wevurski at pwevurski@gannett.com.

Panelists at 210 Connect April 13, 2015 on homelessness included Benny Rodriguez of Bethlehem Center, left, Dr. Tim Durkin of Tulare County Mental Health, Tracy Robertshaw of the city of Visalia, Machael Smith of Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance and Rick Berbereia of the Visalia Rescue Mission.(Photo: Teresa Douglass)